Farbrace named England assistant

The appointment of Paul Farbrace as England's assistant coach has been confirmed by the ECB. Farbrace had been identified as the leading candidate to become Peter Moores' No. 2 and his resignation as Sri Lanka coach on Tuesday cleared the way for him to join England's new set-up.

The ECB has not specified what compensation, if any, was paid but said "an agreement" had been reached with SLC. Farbrace was only in the Sri Lanka role for three months and Sanath Jayasuriya, the chief selector, said SLC had been left "helpless" after losing their coach weeks before they travel to England for Test, ODI and T20 series.

"We are grateful to SLC for their understanding and co-operation in releasing Paul from his contract in order to achieve his desire to return to England and to allow him to work with Peter Moores," David Collier, the ECB's chief executive, said. "Paul developed his coaching through the ECB's Level Four programme and brings substantial international experience to the new England management."

Farbrace's brief spell in charge of Sri Lanka was a successful one, their only defeat in 18 matches coming against England at the World T20. They went on to lift that trophy, having won the Asia Cup a few weeks beforehand, and the ECB sought out Farbrace to offer him the role when he was back in England on holiday after the World T20.

Moores was appointed as England's head coach for the second time at the weekend, after five years with Lancashire, and he said Farbrace's "recent international experience" was of particular value. As well as the visit of Sri Lanka, about whom Farbrace knows plenty, India will tour England during the summer. The first fixture for the new regime will come against Scotland in Abderdeen on May 9.

"It's fantastic to be given the opportunity to work with your own country's national team and this was an offer that I could not turn down - much as I have enjoyed working with the Sri Lankan players and sharing in their recent success," Farbrace said.

"I am particularly relishing the chance to work more closely with Peter as we undertook the Level Four Coaching programme together and have known each other since we were both young wicketkeepers on the county circuit together. It will also be great to renew acquaintances with Alastair Cook and other senior players whom I worked with earlier in my coaching career with England's age-group teams."

In addition to two stints with Sri Lanka, the first as Trevor Bayliss' assistant, Farbrace has coached with Yorkshire and Kent, as well as England women and England U-19s. Paul Downton, England's managing director who led the recruitment process, said Farbrace had enjoyed "unprecedented success" with Sri Lanka. Having resigned during his six-month probationary period, he is able to start in the England job straight away.

"I am really excited about the way the England management structure is taking shape and I know that Paul and Peter Moores are looking forward to working closely together," Downton said. "I would like to echo David Collier's thanks to SLC for reaching an agreement which allowed Paul to join us."